Comick blazes way to state gold medal
Atascocita’s Jace Comick is a state champion.
The senior qualified for the Class 6A state track meet as an individual for the first time this year, and he left Austin with two medals last week – gold in the 100-meter dash and bronze in the 200.
He ran on the team’s 800 relay at state last year but didn’t medal.
“We were fired up,” coach Todd Symons said. “He had a great season. He’s the fastest kid we’ve ever had at our school, broke all our school records, records that probably will never be broken again. So we expected it, but at the same time we were very excited that he got medals in both races.”
Comick won the 100 championship in 10.47 seconds.
Garland Rowlett’s Joseph Sheffield (10.52) was second, Manvel’s Caleb Jolivette (10.57) was third and Clear Brook’s Brandon Taylor (10.58) finished fourth.
“It was close,” Symons said. “The Clear Brook kid, he’s never beat before, for some reason. I don’t know if that he’s nemesis.
“He didn’t get out superwell, but he got out well enough, and then … when he gets tall, he runs great.
“In the second half of the race, he was the fastest one on the track.”
Comick was third in the 200 with a 21.57, finishing behind Port Arthur Memorial’s Kary Vincent Jr. (21.09) and Mansfield’s Jackson Gleeson (21.34).
“He performed well,” Symons said. “I don’t think he ran as good as he could run. He ran 21.06 at regionals. He ran 21.57 (at state), but every track is different, the weather conditions, (and) he was a little bit tight, to be honest. But at the same time, he ran well. Those other guys who beat him are great runners, too.”
Comick will join some other great runners at Texas A&M in the fall.
“We’re excited about it,” Symons said. “He’s only going to get bigger, stronger and faster. He’s coming into his own. He’s growing up, and A&M’s going to do great things for him. His goals are the Olympics, and I really, honestly believe he has a chance because he has a great work ethic.
“He’s not scared to work hard.”